Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Stomach Cancer or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the stomach\* or gastroesophageal (GE) junction
• * GE junction tumors include esophageal tumors arising 5 cm from the anatomic GE junction or in the gastric cardia
• * Locally advanced (i.e., unresectable) or metastatic disease NOTE: \*Gastric stratum temporarily closed to accrual as of 03/01/2003
• Unidimensionally measurable disease
• * Target lesion must not be in previously irradiated field unless there is documentation of clear progression
• No known brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• Not specified
• Performance status:
• Zubrod 0-1
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT or SGPT no greater than 1.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present)
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN
• Cardiovascular:
• No recent myocardial infarction
• No unstable angina
• No life-threatening arrhythmia
• Gastrointestinal:
• No gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation
• No active peptic ulcer disease
• Must be able to swallow and/or receive enteral medications via gastrostomy feeding tube
• No intractable nausea or vomiting
• Ophthalmic:
• No history of corneal disease, including:
• * Dry eye syndrome or Sjögren's syndrome
• * Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
• * Exposure keratopathy
• * Fuch's dystrophy
• * Other active disorders of the cornea
• Other:
• HIV negative
• No active or uncontrolled infection
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission
• No severe psychiatric disorders
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No prior biologic therapy
• No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic gastric cancer
• At least 8 weeks since prior adjuvant chemotherapy or chemotherapy given as a radiosensitizer and recovered
• No concurrent anticancer chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• At least 4 weeks since prior surgical procedure for stomach\* or GE cancer and recovered
• No prior surgical procedures that would affect absorption NOTE: \*Gastric stratum temporarily closed to accrual as of 03/01/2003
• Other:
• No prior investigational drugs
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
• No other concurrent anticancer therapy